But the brawny guys, part of Mayweather's Money Team of assistants, staffers and advisors, weren't there for show. They were put to the test Friday at the MGM Grand, breaking up a small skirmish during a press conference promoting Saturday's championship fight at the Masonic Temple in Detroit.

The heated exchanges between camps got the best of supporters on both sides as emotions ran high among the gathering.

"You want to know what I told him, I said, he's messing with the best," said J'Leon Love of his opponent, Derrick Findley, who was dragged off the podium in a fit of rage after nearly coming to blows with Love.

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Love (14-0), of Detroit, and Findley (20-8), of Gary, Ind., are the co-main event, which features IBF junior middleweight champion Cornelius Bundrage (32-4) of Detroit defending his title against Ishe Smith (24-5) of Las Vegas in the main event. The fight card will be telecast live on Showtime beginning at 9 p.m.

While Mayweather preferred to stay in the background, he was the center of attention as one of the forces behind Saturday's fight card -- his company, Mayweather Promotions, is one of the promoters -- as well as his future as an undefeated champion fighter and promotional mogul.

Mayweather will fight Robert Guerrero May 4 in Las Vegas in his next bout as part of a six-fight, 30-month agreement with Showtime CBS, his new suitor, after severing his long-time ties with HBO. The deal, contractually confidential, is reportedly the richest individual athlete agreement in sports. Mayweather has made well over $100 million in just his last three fights alone, according to some reports, and he intends to keep the money machine flowing with his fists.

"It's all about excitement, and that's what I want to give the people," said Mayweather, whose intentions through his promotional company is reviving boxing in Michigan. "Boxing is never going away as long as Floyd Mayweather his here. The sport is here to stay. That's why I'm here, to keep the sport alive."

Mayweather's team promotes Smith, Love and a stable of fighters in Las Vegas, where Mayweather resides.

As for Saturday's fight card, Bundrage (32-4) and Smith engaged in lively chatter, assailing each other's credentials during a lively press conference which angered some and delighted others. "Much love to everybody, (but) I'm not worried about the Money Team, I'm not worried about Floyd (Mayweather), I'm just ready for battle," said Bundrage, who pointed to Smith, and said, "I'm going to put you down, boy."

Bundrage, who was on the reality program, "The Contender" a few years ago, won the IBF title in 2010 with a fifth-round TKO over Cory Sprinks in St. Louis. This will be his first fight in Michigan since 2005.

Smith, who had known Mayweather since he was a youngster, recounted the letters the two exchanged when Mayweather was imprisoned for domestic assault. "At the end, he said I promise I'll get you a world championship fight when I get out of jail," said Smith. "To think that my first title shot is going to be on Showtime. It's unbelievable."

Findley, who scored a TKO over Ronald Hearns last year at the Taylor Sportsplex, was a last minute replacement for Bronco McKart, who injured himself during training.

"I'm used to going to the lions' den, I'm used to fighting in guys backyards," said Findley, whose emotions got the best of him during a stare down with Love.

The official weigh-in, which is open to the public, is scheduled for 1 p.m. Friday at Masonic Temple.